The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Union government has imposed a ban on the import, breeding and sale of certain dog breeds deemed dangerous. This decision was made following recommendations from an expert committee established by the department.
The list of banned breeds includes, but is not limited to, Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino and American Bulldog. Other breeds such as Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Sheepdog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa, Akita, Mastiff (Boerboel), Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbash, Moscow Guard Dog, Cane Corso and all types of dogs commonly known as Ban Dog or Bandog are also included in the ban.
In a letter dated March 12, addressed to all states, Dr. O.P. Chaudhry, the joint secretary of the department, stated that the decision was prompted by reported cases of human fatalities due to bites from these ferocious breeds of dogs kept as pets. The government had received numerous petitions from citizens and citizen groups advocating for a ban on these breeds. The Delhi High Court, responding to a writ petition, had also directed the Centre to make a decision on the matter after consulting all stakeholders.
In compliance with the court order, the department formed an expert committee, led by the commissioner of animal husbandry and including other stakeholders. The committee identified the dangerous dog breeds and recommended a prohibition on their import, breeding, sale and keeping as pets.
The department has instructed states to direct local bodies to issue guidelines to ensure the enforcement of the ban. Existing pets of these breeds will need to be sterilised. The ban is specific to pet dogs and does not address the issue of street dogs, which are reportedly responsible for a significantly higher number of human deaths.
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